Clapton Community FC vs Greenways takes place on Saturday, August 3 2024 with a 3pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

Competitive football is back at the Old Spotted Dog Ground! 106 days after the last game of 2023/24 at the OSD against Harlow Town, the Clapton CFC Men’s First Team are back in action.

Since then, we’ve had defeat in the play-offs, the double header trip to Madrid, the failed appeal against a sideways move of leagues, the pitch being reseeded, lots of friendlies thereafter, and various incremental ground improvements.

The Men’s First Team squad is much the same as last season, only with the addition of 10 or so new faces, who will introduce over the next few days and weeks. It’s a step into the unknown in the new division, Southern Counties East Football League Division One. We’re facing 16 teams we’ve never played before, plus Tower Hamlets who have renamed anyway. That starts on Saturday in the sun against Greenways.

Opposition

Founded in 1965 as NALGO FC, the sporting wing of the National and Local Government Officers’ Association trade union, Gravesend-based Greenways competed in various regional Kent leagues until 2018, when they were promoted to SCEFL Division 1. They had rarely finished in the bottom half until last season’s last place finish. However, Greenways were reprieved from relegation due to league reconstruction that also saw Clapton CFC join them in the Southern Counties. Manager Rob Jeffrey has moved upstairs after a whopping 14 years with former player Andy Pierce stepping into the manager’s job for the club’s 60th anniversary year. Previously playing 15 miles south of Gravesend, in Aylesford, Greenways have now agreed a groundshare with SCEFL Div 1 counterparts Rochester United, bringing them significantly closer to home.

Form guide

In pre-season, Greenways have mainly tested themselves against higher opposition, with a 8-0 defeat to (two levels higher) Erith Town and losing 2-0 to Glebe and 1-0 to Punjab United (both one level higher). In their only game against another Step 6 side, they lost to Sheppey Sports 4-2 while they beat Hollands & Blair U23s 3-1.

Clapton CFC have had a mixed summer of results too, with wins over Step 7 sides Waltham Forest Borough and Camden & Islington United, a draw with fellow Step 6 side Harlow Town, and defeats to higher opposition in Fisher, Cheshunt and Woodford Town. Plus of course the visit to Madrid to play CD Independiente de Vallecas.

Previous meetings

None.

Admission

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay. Spectator entry is via the Disraeli Road turnstile from 2pm.

Standard admission is now £5 (we are not allowed to charge less), concessions can pay what they want, and under 13s are free. A full list of concessions is available here.

Cash and cards are accepted everywhere in the ground – cash is quicker at the turnstile to help prevent queues but card quicker elsewhere.

Food and drink

The Clubhouse bar will be open from 2pm until 7pm. We have a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale. We have two beers on tap from Pretty Decent Brewery, generally a lager and Old Scaffold Daze, our own IPA. We also have reusable cups now.

Please help the club by purchasing drinks from the bar. The premises are licensed so we ask you not to bring your own alcohol into the OSD. The profits from the bar are invested in maintaining the grounds.

We also have hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, Bovril) and water and squash at the bar, please help yourself. There is no charge but feel free to put some change in the donation box.

We have crisps, nuts, and hopefully Hackney Gelato on sale in the clubhouse. Outside, Fusion Foods will be selling hot and cold food – meat, veggie and vegan options.

Hygiene bank collection

The hygiene bank collection is back at all home games, with the collection box at the main entrance. Our charity partners Magpie Project support mums and young children in temporary accommodation. They need:

● Toothpaste ● Toothbrush ● Shower gel ● Shampoo ● Deodorant ● Sanitary towel

Merch

The merch stall just inside the ground is open before the game, at half-time, and after the game. You can buy a beanie, summer scarf, badge, tea towel and a few more items. We are very low on shirts at the moment, though, but more stock is due soon.

We will have an 8-page matchday programme available at the entrance and merch stall, pick one up for free, donations welcome to cover the printing costs.

Accessibility

There is an accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities next to the Clubhouse. The Clubhouse main entrance is also step-free.

Pitch access

The Grounds committee request all spectators keep off the pitch before games and at half-time. They need to carry out safety pitch inspections before play begins, which are voided if people have gone on the pitch.

Children welcome

Prams and pushchairs are always very welcome at the OSD, but please avoid blocking walkways. Make sure all children are behind the perimeter fencing during games too please.

If/when Clapton CFC wins a game, children are invited to join the players in their post-match celebration on the side of the pitch.

Dogs welcome

Spectators are welcome, in fact encouraged, to bring dogs to the OSD, but please keep on leads.

Bikes welcome

There’s space to leave your bikes inside the Old Spotted Dog Ground, next to the main stand. You can lock them to the fencing. Please don’t leave them locked to the pitch perimeter as it blocks the walkway.

We are currently working on plans for a better bike parking and locking system – watch this space.

Any questions?

If you have any further questions, look for anyone wearing a pink hi-viz vest or the bar staff who will be happy to answer.

Directions

The Old Spotted Dog Ground is at 212 Upton Lane in Forest Gate, London E7 9NP.

Forest Gate station (Elizabeth Line) and Wanstead Park (Overground) are 15 minutes’ walk away, Plaistow (District / Hammersmith & City) is 20 minutes’ walk, and Stratford (National Rail/Overground/Elizabeth/Jubilee/Central/DLR) is 25 minutes’ walk.

If you’ve not been to the OSD yet, here are some even more detailed directions.

Parking is free on the streets to the north and west of the ground (e.g. Disraeli Rd) on Saturdays and Sundays. On Saturdays, parking is restricted on streets to the east and south of the ground (e.g. St George’s Rd and Upton Lane), but there are no restrictions on Sundays. Always check local signage for any changes. And if possible come by public transport, bike or walk

Map of the Old Spotted Dog Ground